We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Food and Kitchen Reviews Small Kitchen Appliance Reviews The 5 Best Portable Blenders of 2024 for Smoothies On The Go These compact devices can handle your daily smoothie with ease. By Brittany VanDerBill Brittany VanDerBill Brittany VanDerBill has been writing copy and content for businesses and publications since 2016. She began writing for Dotdash Meredith in 2021, covering a variety of topics including pets, clothing, and product guides. Her work has been published with several Dotdash Meredith brands, including Travel + Leisure, People, Allrecipes, and Paw Print magazine. Brittany is skilled in writing about a variety of topics, but her specialties are travel, lifestyle, and pet content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 16, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens / David Hattan Blenders are versatile kitchen appliances, but traditional blenders are large and not meant to be portable. If you’re someone who frequently makes smoothies or other blended drinks while away from home, you’ll appreciate the convenience of portable blenders. Before purchasing a portable blender, you’ll want to keep in mind what results you’re hoping to achieve. “Most higher-end portable blenders can crush ice, but you may not get the perfectly smooth consistency of a high-end stationary blender,” says Paul Kushner, CEO of My Bartender. These devices are best for blending protein powder, thinner smoothies, or even dressings and marinades. But even the best portable blender may not be powerful enough to blend ultra-thick smoothies or milkshakes, which you’ll likely need a larger blender to achieve. What We Researched Weight: The best portable blenders are lightweight to carry on the go or easily stored in kitchen cabinets.Capacity: We considered a variety of portable blender sizes from 12 to 18 ounces.Power Source: Most portable blenders are powered through rechargeable batteries, but we also considered models that use power cords.Care: We considered whether the blender cup and parts are dishwasher-safe or need to be washed by hand. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Magic Bullet Portable Blender at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Personal Blender with Travel Lid at Amazon ($21) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Ninja Blast Portable Blender at Amazon ($55) Jump to Review Best Mini: Elechelf Portable Mini Blender at Amazon ($26) Jump to Review Beautiful By Drew Barrymore Portable To-Go Blender 2.0 at Amazon ($62) Jump to Review Best Overall Magic Bullet Portable Blender Target View On Amazon $30 View On Target $30 View On Wayfair $40 Why You Should Get It This device doubles as a water infuser with its included accessories. Keep in Mind The only included lid is a sport cap style, which may make it hard to drink thicker smoothies. Overall, the best portable blender is this pick from Magic Bullet Portable Blender. The 16 ounce cup is a great size to fit large smoothies or a healthy protein shake, and at just under 2 pounds, it’s lightweight enough to carry in a gym bag or backpack. And besides the motor base, all its accessories are dishwasher safe for simple cleanup. In addition to its blending capabilities, this device doubles as a water infuser. It comes with a detachable basket that twists on the lid, allowing you to infuse your water with fruits of your choice. The device’s motor base recharges with a USB-C charging cable, which is included with the blender. According to the brand, a full charge should provide enough power to blend more than 15 drinks, though this will vary depending on what type of ingredients you add. The lid has a large handle for easy carrying. But keep in mind, its the only lid included, and it has a flip-top, sport-style cap. While this may be ideal for protein shakes or infused water, it may make it difficult to drink thicker smoothies. Product Details: Dimensions: 3.3 x 10.16 x 3.3 inches | Capacity: 16 ounces | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Power Source: Rechargeable battery Best Budget Hamilton Beach Personal Blender with Travel Lid Amazon View On Amazon $21 View On Target $18 View On Wayfair $21 Why You Should Get It This blender is lightweight, easy to run, and small enough to fit in most cup holders. Keep in Mind The smaller motor isn’t as powerful when it comes to crushing ice. This Hamilton Beach model is the best portable blender if you’re looking for something lightweight and less expensive than other options. The blender, which is offered in multiple colors, is compact and easy to use. While the base is powered through a plug-in cord, the removable jar is made to take on the go. The blender comes with a 14-ounce cup and a travel lid, so you won’t have to worry about spillage. The cup is designed to fit in most cup holders, so you can blend at home and grab your smoothie to sip on during your morning commute. If you’re heading on a road trip, however, you can easily pack the whole unit with you. To use the blender, all you have to do is press one button and it’ll take care of the rest. When you’re done, the jar, blades, and travel lid are all dishwasher safe, making clean up easy. If the base gets dirty, however, you’ll just have to wipe it down by hand. Product Details: Dimensions: 3.5 x 12.25 x 3.5 inches | Capacity: 14 ounces | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Power Source: Power cord Best Splurge Ninja Blast Portable Blender Amazon View On Amazon $55 View On Target $55 View On Walmart $60 Why You Should Get It This blender can hold a generous 18 ounces. Keep in Mind It doesn’t include additional accessories. Sometimes it makes sense to spend a bit more on certain products, and the Ninja BC51NV is the best portable blender to splurge on. For starters, it can hold up to 18 ounces of liquid, which is quite generous when compared to some of the other options out there. It’s a cinch to use with just two buttons: power and blend. It comes with a BPA-free lid (the jar is BPA-free, too) so you can sip your smoothie while going about your day. And after you’ve filled up, just run the lid and container through the dishwasher for easy cleanup. Or, add a dash of soap and some water to the container and blend like you would with a smoothie. It’s rechargeable and lets you create up to 15 blended beverages when it’s fully charged, which only takes about two hours. However, if you run multiple blending cycles to get a super fine consistency, you’ll likely notice the battery will need more frequent charging. The blender is super portable though with the attached handle for easy carrying whether you’re commuting to work or enjoying a day (and a frozen daiquiri) on the beach. Product Details: Dimensions: 3.54 x 10.71 x 3.54 inches | Capacity: 18 ounces | Weight: 1.74 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Power Source: Rechargeable battery Best Mini Elechelf Portable Mini Blender Amazon View On Amazon $26 Why You Should Get It This mini portable blender whips up smoothies in under a minute and can even handle ice. Keep in Mind This isn’t a dishwasher safe option. Weighing in at 1 pound, this mini portable blender from Elechelf is perfect if you need something more compact. It can hold up to 12 ounces of liquid, and its small size makes it ideal for blending smoothies while you’re on a hiking trip or enjoying the great outdoors in a tent. Just be sure you have access to a USB port to keep the blender charged. While it’s not a dishwasher-safe option, it can whip up a smoothie in under a minute. The 10-leaf blade means this blender can even crush through ice if you’re craving a refreshing frozen drink—just make sure you add liquid in with the ice before blending. It even comes with a silicone straw, plus you can pick your favorite of five color choices. This mini portable blender has an attached strap for easy carrying, too. Product Details: Dimensions: 3.5 x 9.4 x 3.5 inches | Capacity: 12 ounces | Weight: 1 pound | Dishwasher Safe: No | Power Source: Rechargeable battery Beautiful By Drew Barrymore Portable To-Go Blender 2.0 Beautiful by Drew Barrymore View On Amazon $62 View On Walmart $25 View On Beautifulbydrew.com Why You Should Get It The blender has a chic, modern design. Keep in Mind The lid’s handle is smaller than those found on other options. This Beautiful Portable Blender by Drew Barrymore is one of the best portable blenders for stashing in your car. With a 3.26-inch diameter base, it’s the thinnest option on our list and should fit in most car cup holders. In addition to its practical size, the design is one of the most attractive options available, and it comes in five different colors. While the lid does include a handle for carrying, it’s a small strap that’s smaller than other options included on this list. It charges with a USB cable, so you can simply plug this into your car’s USB port to charge it when you’re on the road. You’ll want to plan ahead for charging, though, since it takes up to five hours to get a full charge. Once charged, you can use it to blend up to 30 beverages. As a bonus, the cup and lid can both be cleaned in a dishwasher. At the end of the day, you can simply run them through a wash cycle so they’re clean for blending on the go the next day. It’s easy to operate, with a one-touch button for blending. It also comes with a strainer, so if you’re not a fan of seeds or pulp, you can strain them out. Product Details: Dimensions: 3.26 x 10.64 x 3.26 inches | Capacity: 16 ounces | Weight: Not listed | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Power Source: Rechargeable battery The Bottom Line Overall, the best portable blender is the Magic Bullet Portable Blender because it’s lightweight, compact, dishwasher-safe, and comes with additional accessories. What to Know About Portable Blenders Before Shopping Dimensions According to Kushner, you’ll want to consider where you’ll be taking your portable blender when you choose the right size for you. Of course, you’ll also want to make sure your blender will fit where you decide to store it between travels, too. “If you are packing a portable blender, keep in mind that the blender cup will be about the size of a large coffee cup, and you'll need to add an additional 3 to 5 inches of space for the base of the blender,” says Kushner. If you plan on taking your portable blender on the road, you may want to measure your car’s cup holders before purchasing. The standard cup holder ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 inches in diameter, and many portable blender bases exceed that size. Capacity Portable blenders differ a bit in how much liquid they can hold. When shopping for one, Kushner says you’ll want to think about how big your blended beverages tend to be in comparison to the size of the blender’s cup. “If you are always drinking a giant green smoothie, a 12-ounce blender won't have enough capacity for you and you'll risk overfilling the container,” Kushner says. Even the largest portable blenders on the market only measure up to 18 ounces, so if you’d like to make larger servings or multiple drinks at once, you may want to consider a full-size blender or even a personal blender, which tend to be larger than portable options. Weight As with capacity, blenders will have different weights. According to Kushner, “most portable blenders weigh in at 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.” He also explains that blenders with more powerful motors tend to weigh more. For camping, he says a heavier blender works well. However, he advises buying a blender under one pound if you plan to carry it around for an extended time, such as on long hikes. Care Generally speaking, Kushner tells us most portable blenders today have components that can go in the dishwasher. However, the electric base won’t be dishwasher safe, so you’ll want to wipe it down with a damp washcloth or sponge. He recommends checking the owner’s manual for the best advice on getting your portable blender clean. Power Because portable blenders are designed to take on the go, many of them will operate on rechargeable batteries. A number of portable blenders tend to recharge using a USB cable, which is a pretty common household staple these days. Some blenders may simply plug into a wall outlet like a regular blender. In that case, you can still travel with them, but you’ll just need to make sure you have access to an electrical outlet for your morning smoothie while traveling. Your Questions, Answered Can you bring a portable blender on a plane? The TSA website states you’re allowed to bring a portable blender on a plane, as long as you remove the blade and store it safely in your checked bag. Can a portable blender crush ice? Portable blenders can have a variety of uses, like smoothies, juices, baby food, and more. When it comes to crushing ice, however, they may not be as suitable as you might need. Kushner explains that higher-end models may be able to crush ice, but still likely won’t provide the smooth consistency you can achieve with a stationary blender. Some of the best portable blenders may not crush ice very well due to a less powerful motor or smaller battery. Kushner also issues a word of caution about any portable blender: don’t overheat it. You could try blending frozen fruit into smoothies rather than ice if you’re concerned about overheating the motor on a less powerful model. Can you drink from a portable blender? Most portable blenders are conveniently designed so you can drink directly from them. Generally, sip-friendly blenders are likely to include a lid with sipping spout or even a reusable straw for added convenience. You could still drink from portable blenders without a special lid, just be cautious so you don’t spill a bit of smoothie as you sip. Who We Are This article was written by Brittany VanDerBill, a freelance lifestyle writer for Better Homes & Gardens. To find the best portable blenders, she researched a variety of options, keeping in mind capacity, size, and weight, amongst other details. She also consulted Paul Kushner, CEO of My Bartender. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit